Reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, world 800m champion Lilian Odira and 2019 world 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot will spearhead Kenya’s team at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
After three days of fierce competition and high-stakes battles at the national trials, Athletics Kenya (AK) on Saturday unveiled a formidable squad tasked with carrying the nation’s medal hopes to Scotland.
Among the headline acts is sprint king Omanyala, who returns to the Commonwealth stage determined to successfully defend the 100m crown he captured in Birmingham in 2022.
Odira, the world 800m champion will be keen to add the Commonwealth crown to her trophy cabinet as Cheruiyot seeks his first gold medal at the Games after back-to-back silver medals.
Also in the fold are African Championships gold medallist Kelvin Loti (800m) and Diana Wanza (10,000m) as well as national decathlon record holder Edwin Too, nine-time hammer throw champion Dominic Abunda as well as world 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Edmund Serem.
Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jackson Tuwei expressed confidence in the selected team, saying he was satisfied with the calibre of athletes chosen to fly the Kenyan flag in Glasgow.
”This is the team which we have selected and tasked with flying Kenya’s flag. We wish them the very best of luck as they go to Scotland,” Tuwei said.
He added that AK had officially handed over the team to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), which will now oversee the squad’s preparations and campaign.
”From here, we will hand over the team to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, which will manage the team from now onwards until they come back from the Commonwealth Games,” he stated.
”I am sure NOCK will take care of you and guide you. To those who have been given the responsibility of coaching the team, take care of the team well.”
Tuwei challenged the athletes to rise to the occasion in Glasgow and return home with a rich medal haul.
”Let us see good performances in Glasgow and, of course, many medals.”
Meanwhile, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya lauded the selection process, describing the trials as transparent and inclusive.
”This was a very good event, very transparent. It has given all the regions an opportunity to participate so that the best can be selected,” Mvurya said.
The CS congratulated both the athletes who secured slots in the team and those who took part in the fiercely contested trials.
”On behalf of the government, I congratulate all selected athletes as well as all those who participated in these trials.”
Mvurya further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Team Kenya throughout its Glasgow campaign.
”The team has been handed over to NOCK, but as government we will give our full support both now and in Scotland,” he added.
He also revealed that the athletes will undergo rigorous anti-doping screening to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s performances on the global stage.
”The government is committed to ensuring our athletes win with integrity. The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) will conduct tests for all athletes so that when they win, they win clean,” he noted.
Team Kenya
100m women
Millicent Ndoro
100m men
Ferdinand Omanyala
Meshack Babu
Mark Otieno
100m Hurdles women
Rukia Nusra
200m men
Zablon Ekwam
Elkana Sabila
400m women
Mercy Oketch
Mercy Chebet
Nancy Jepkosgei
400m men
Kelvin Tonui
Boniface Mweresa
George Mutinda
400m hurldes women
Vanice Kerubo
400m hurdles men
Kipkorir Kiprotich
800m women
Lilian Odira
Janet Amimo
Vivian Chebet
800m men
Wyclife Kinyamal
Kelvin Loti
Nicholas Kiplagat
One Mile women
Naomi Korir
Teresiah Gateri
Rosemary Longisa
One Mile men
Timothy Cheruiyot
Reynold Cheruiyot
Brian Komen
3,000m steeplechase women
Celestine Biwott
Faith Cherotich
3,000m steeplechase men
Simon Koech
Edmund Serem
Leonard Bett
5,000m women
Caroline Nyaga
Rebecca Mwangi
5,000m men
Mathew Kipsang
Cornelius Kemboi
Andrew Kiptoo
10,000m women
Diana Wanza
Miriam Chebet
10,000m men
Ishmael Rokitto
Edwin Kurgat
Daniel Ebenyo
Race walk men
Stephen Ndangiri
Race walk women
Sylvia Kemboi
High Jump men
Asbel Kiprop
Long Jump women
Faith Kipsang
Triple Jump men
Kevin Kemboi
Hammer men
Dominic Abunda
Shot put women
Belinda Oburu
Javelin women
Irene Jepkemboi
Javelin men
Julius Yego
Decathlon
Edwin Too